SURREY will play host to the Antigua and Barbuda National Olympic team when they arrive to train for the 2012 Olympic Games in London.

Delegates from the Caribbean state have signed an agreement with representatives from the county, which will see them using facilities at the Surrey Sports Park and Guildford Spectrum as well as several other venues.

West Indies cricket legend Sir Viv Richards was at the sports park for the signing on Friday, acting as ambassador for his national team.

“Having seen the sports park for the first time today, it’s totally ideal for my country,” he said.

“These are amazing facilities and after seeing the welcome that we received here, the team has seen what I love about this part of the world.

“Our nation is a very small one and we haven’t accomplished much yet in terms of gold and silver medals.

“But what I know for sure is in an environment where you feel comfortable, you never know.

"It gives the athletes peace of mind and whenever they feel comfortable, you never know what they can achieve.”

Surrey Sports Park will be used for its Olympic swimming pool, the first and only 50m indoor pool in the region.

Athletics training will take place at the Spectrum’s 400m, eight-lane stadium.

"Stamp of approval"

Former Olympic track gold medallist Allan Wells, now a member of the engineering staff at the University of Surrey, said: “From the outset the idea of the Sports Park was to attract countries to come here and use the facilities.

"It was really accepted by the new vice-chancellor and it was a big step financially for the university.

“Having the facilities and the Olympic team here encourages young people to get involved and try out for different sports.”

Surrey Sports Park opened in April this year and is owned by the University of Surrey. It aims to become Europe’s premier training facility, attracting professional teams to use its facilities.

Councillor Denise Saliagopoulos, county council member for community services and the 2012 Games, said the Olympics would bring huge benefits to local businesses.

“There was a lot of concern about the cost to the taxpayer when the sports park was being built, but the benefits for Surrey will far outweigh the cost. This is the start of things to come.

“The fact that Antigua is the first signing is a landmark for the Olympic Committee in our region.”

Senator Chet Greene, president of the Antigua National Olympic Committee, said: “We have had overtures from a number of would-be hosts, but I’m happy to declare that Surrey is the place for us.

“For me it goes beyond sports, we want to build relationships here, not just with sports but with schools and the community.

“Once Vivian gives his stamp of approval, we know it’s right. We’re hoping to be adopted in Surrey in the same way as he has been.”

Mayor of Guildford, Cllr Marsha Moseley, also attended the signing event. She said the agreement with Antigua and Barbuda was a “fantastic opportunity”.

“It’s a chance for schools to establish links with a different country,” she said. “There are already some schools that have links with the West Indies so this will help them develop those.”